"OW!"
Xander felt the small object hit his head and reached up to rub the
top of his skull. He looked toward the sky looking for where the
object had fallen from. Nothing. He looked down when he noticed a
green glow and lifted the ring from the ground.

"What the
hell?" He asked himself while he looked at the glowing green
ring.

"I have to
go. By the way my name is Kyle Rayner. If you need help or just
someone to talk to about this," Kyle forms a card with his ring
and hands it to Xander, "Go here. Talk to Guy Gardner. Good luck
kid." Xander watches as Kyle flies off into the darkness a green
streak in the sky behind him.

You are really
leaving?" Giles asked the young man who stood infront of him.
Xander nodded and looked at Giles as he sat a piece of paper on the
desk.

"Yeah.
Giles I have a favor I need you to do for me." Giles looked at
Xander with a small sad smile.

"All of us
think that we're not good enough kid. Hell even I think that. If you
don't think that chances are your going to die, and take a lot of
innocent people with you." Guy continued with conviction. The
kid needed a speech, needed to have some confidence. Just not to
much. Xander only nodded at the man's words.

Xander stopped
in mid air as he noticed the young man trying to catch him. As the
young man came closer Xander recognized him but his face didn't show
shock or surprise.

"Your not
Kyle?" Superboy asked more than stated. Xander chuckled and
nodded his head.

"Your
right. I'm not." Xander stuck out his right hand and shook with
Superboy.

Kyle looked down
for a second and took a deep breath.

"I need the
ring back." Xander looked at him and swallowed a lump in his
throat.

"What?"
His voice sounded nothing like normal. No fun and games.. No life.
Everyone there felt that something changed in that instant.

I'm on my way."
Before Giles could say anything Xander had put the phone back to it's
cradle and ran from the room toward the BatCave. As he jumped down
the flights of stairs the Bat clan looked at him. Xander landed
directly in front of the Bat and thought of the words to say.

"I have to
leave." Batman merely tilted his head slightly. Xander
continued.

"My friends
are in trouble. More than they can handle alone." Xander stood
waiting for Batman's answer......

And finally.

Chapter One.

Xander stood
ridged waiting in anticipation for Batman's answer. He almost made
everyone think it would matter.

"Your not
ready." Batman answered in his deep growling voice, only this
time it held a slightly caring tone.

"I'm not
going to leave my friends when they need me the most." Xander
said through gritted teeth taking the Dark Knights answer as an
insult. Batman slipped the cowl off his face and looked at Xander.

"Your good
kid. And there's no doubt in my mind that you would do the best you
could to help your friends. But if the situation is as bad as you say
then your not going to be helping them Xander. Your going to be
fighting for them. Your not ready for that."

"It doesn't
matter." Xander said and turned to leave the cave. He was
stopped by the voice of Dick Greyson.

"I'll go."

"What?",
Xander asked in curiosity as he turned and looked at the masked face
of Nightwing.

"I said,"
Nightwing began with a small smile.," I'll go. I'll head to
Sunnydale and help your friends out." Xander looked from
Nightwing to Batman who only nodded his head slightly. Xander sighed
and looked at the floor.

"I feel
like I'm running out on them." Xander said as he moved back into
the group of Batman, Robin, and Nightwing.

"Your just
not ready Xander," Nightwing said in a gentle tone as he put a
hand on the young mans shoulder.," In a few months or a year
maybe, right now your just not up to it. I on the other hand am. I'll
take care of your friends. Count on me." Xander looked at the
masked eyes and didn't doubt his new friend for a second.

"I will.
Thank you."

"Your part
of the family now little bro." Nightwing said with a larger
smile, one that Xander soon mimicked.

"Yeah,"
Robin agreed with a smile," Now I have a bro that will talk
about things other than cute red heads."

"She is
cute isn't she." Nightwing said with a sight as both Xander and
Robin chuckled. Batman half smiled under his cowl but covered
quickly.

"Nightwing
will leave for Sunnydale immediately. Robin and myself will begin to
train Xander in the morning." Batman said as he began to remove
his suit. Xander sighed again.

"Tomorrow
night," Bruce Wayne stated as he hung the cowl in it's place,"
You two will go back to the club."

Xander hit the
padded mat hard. He thought he was in decent shape, thought he was a
decent fighter. But he had been wrong. He winced as he pushed himself
up and looked at Robin who was smirking slightly.

"Okay,"
Xander stated as he fell into a fighting stance.," Now I'm
ready." Robin looked at him and shifted into a different stance.

"If you say
so."

Robin moved
forward faster than Xander thought a normal human could move. Almost
faster than he had seen Buffy move. But this time Xander was ready.
He fainted to his left and quickly moved right as Robin extended his
right leg. Xander gripped the ankle and used all his strength to
through the young hero toward the padded walls. Robin twisted in
mid-air and pushed off the wall with both his legs landed a right
cross on Xander's chin. Xander went down and Robin landed on his left
leg massaging his right ankle.

"Not bad."
The Boy Wonder said as he tested out his ankle. Finding it only
slightly sprained he focused on Xander as the young man stood up with
a sigh and a frown.

"Hey,"
Robin stated with a friendly tone, "Your good, better than I was
when I first came here. But, me, I've been trained by the best,
Batman, Nightwing, Lady Shiva, and a lot more." Xander nodded to
Robins' statement.

"I'll get
it." Xander said with determination. A determination Robin knew
came from his need to help his friends.

"No doubts
from me." Robin answered and chuckled When Xander fell into a
fighting stance, then the Boy Wonder fell into one of his own.

Xander stared at
the masked figure of Batman as Nightwing smiled at the back of the
young mans head.

"You know
the territory better than we do," Batman stated with a strict
voice," What do you think Nightwings cover should be?"

"I'd like
him to stay close to my friends," Xander started," Even
during the day. Maybe I could call in Giles and tell him a few
things, just tell him I'm sending a friend." Xander quickly
added the last part at the glare from the dark knight. Then the young
man continued.

"Giles
knows I was a Green Lantern, so when I tell him a friend he's going
to automatically think superhero.", Xander says to receive nods
from the batclan.

"So I have
Giles tell the others that Nightwing... Um... Michael Shrum. Is from
the watchers council and is there to help with the Angelus matter."

"Your cold
man." Nightwing said with a deadpan face that made Xander
chuckle slightly. Even The Bat smirked.

"Besides, I
don't think Tim likes the name Breaks."

"Damn right
I don't." The boy wonder said as he glared at Nightwing, who
only smiled back unrepentant.

"Fine, I'm
Michael Shrum. Happy?"

"Getting
there." Xander answered and turned back to Batman.

"Does that
sound okay to you?" Xander asked the cowled face which held a
small glint in its eyes.

"Sounds
fine. Set it up."

"Thanks."
Xander said and turned walking toward the nearest land line to call
Giles. His friends were going to get help. They were going to get one
of the best.

Xander and Tim
walked into the club with steady and easy steps that exuded
confidence. The people who saw them last night moved out of there way
quickly but coolly the crowd parting like the red sea, leaving an
open walkway straight to the stairs that led to Mr. Fears' office. As
the young men reached the top stairs a large man stepped in there
path.

"What do
you want?" The man asked not recognizing the young men from
there talk with Mr. Fear the night before.

"Fear
wanted to see us. He offered us a job." Xander said as he looked
directly into the big mans eyes. The large man looked at the two kids
and snorted.

"Bullshit.
Get outta here kids." Xander turned and looked at Tim, the two
locked eyes and Tim nodded.

"Go ahead
Breaky boy." Xander said with a smile. Tim smiled a false smile
that spoke of mischief and lashed out with a right foot hitting the
large mans right knee knocking the man off balance. The young hero
quickly lashed out with his left hand shoving his thumb into the
throat of the big man just under the jaw line. The big man froze in
shock and pain.

"We coulda
done this the easy way," Tim stated as he fell into the
character of Breaks. He stepped forward causing the big man to step
back, he quickly led them into Fears office making the large man
reach behind himself and open the door. As they stepped through Tim
released the big man and pushed him aside Xander walked in just
behind them a large smile on his face. Fears' eyes were on the two
young men who had just walked right through his security with a smile
on there faces. Despite himself he started to like the kids.

"So,"
Fear started as he motioned his security guard to leave," You
thought about my offer I take it." Xander stepped forward and
fell into one of the chairs infront of Fears' desk lazily. Breaks sat
in the other with much the same casual attitude.

"We have,"
Xander started and began to look serious," We're interested.
Very interested, but we have to know what we're getting into. I'm not
going to be a patsy to anybody."

"My boy is
right," Tim stated as he leaned forward," If we're in this
we're in all the way, there's none of that 'You Don't Need To Know'
bull."

"I totally
agree," Fear said with a smile that spoke volumes. It was that
smile that told both Xander and Tim why he was called Fear., "But,
you will have to earn my trust before I just spill everything. You'll
start out small time, little deliveries, things like that. Then, if
it works out, well, we'll renegotiate." Xander turned and looked
at Tim. They nodded simultaneously.

"Fine,"
Xander said then sighed for show," We're in, for now."

"Good,"
Fear said and leaned back in his chair," Very good." The
two young heroes were in the world. Now there only problems were
stopping the crime spree, and getting out alive.

Xander and Tim
walked away from the nightclub with the same air of confidence they
had walked into the club with. Arrogance exuded from there shadowed
forms. That was until Xander jarred to a stop suddenly and watched as
a man and woman left the club and walked toward a darkened ally.

"What's
up?" Tim asked as he followed Xander's eyes and watched as the
two people faded into darkness.

"She's in
trouble," Xander said as he moved toward the alley, Tim not a
step behind him.

"We need to
suit up." Tim said then cursed silently as he noticed he didn't
have his Robin suit with him.

"No time,"
Xander said as he reached the mouth of the alley and took a quick
look around the corner of the building. Ten feet in the man was
kissing the woman.

"So lets
take the guy down." Tim said quietly only to look confused when
Xander shook his head.

"It's not a
guy, well, not a human guy anyway.", Xander said and again
looked around the corner. Things were heating up and Xander knew it
wouldn't be long before the vampire made his move.

"What?"
Tim asked in curiosity.

"Vampire,"
Xander said in a cold voice," I'm completely serious." Tim
nodded his head thinking of the things he had seen.

"Alright.
We can still take him."

"Yeah, But
I don't have any wood on me," Xander said then sighed as he
heard the woman fighting her attacker. "Fuck it." He said
as he turned the corner and walked quickly and confidently toward the
two forms. The vampire was just about to sink it's fangs into her
neck when Xander blindsided it with a right cross that made the
vampire stumble back and lose his hold on the shocked and frightened
woman. Tim wasn't a step behind as the young Robin launched himself
into the air and extended both legs hitting the vampire in the face
with as much momentum as possible. As the vamp went down Xander moved
in. The young man slammed his foot into the vampires throat hoping
that the vamp was dumb enough to still rely on human instinct. He
was.

"Run."
Xander said to the woman and Robin as he began to back away from the
vampire who was finally realizing he didn't need to breath. Tim
grabbed the young woman and pulled her away from the forms of Xander
and the dark haired vampire that glared at there retreating backs
with hatred.

"I'm going
to rip your throat out." The vampire said as he turned his
attention back to Xander.

"I've heard
that before," Xander said with a serious and deadly tone that
made the vampire slightly cautious. "And I'll hear it again,
right after I take care of you." The vampire growled and charged
bringing it's hands up as it tried to wrap it's cold fingers around
Xanders' throat. The young man pivoted on his left foot turning
sideways and catching the vampire between the eyes with an elbow. As
the vamp went down Xander lashed out with a kick that caused the ribs
of the vampire to crack and crumble. The vampire screamed in agony
and Xander turned looking for a piece of wood.

"Xander!"
Tims' voice carried from the mouth of the alley causing Xander to
turn just in time to avoid the slice of the knife the vampire had
pulled from his boot. The knife came so close Xander felt the air
move past his nose. But that didn't stop Xander from grabbing the
over extended arm and sliding under it slamming his right elbow into
the vampires sternum he felt the bones the vamps chest crack as he
used the momentum from his elbow strike to send his right fist under
the undead mans jaw. The vampire was thrown off his feet by the
force, the knife in his hand flying from the scene. As the vampire
lay clutching his injured chest Tim ran up to Xander and handed him a
broken piece of a crate.

"Next alley
over." Tim said as Xander looked at the piece of wood curiously.
Nodding he moved over the vampire and slammed the makeshift stake
home. As the vamp burst into dust Xander stood and threw the piece of
wood away from him.

"How's the
girl?"

"Back in
the club prolly calling the police." Tim said as Xander and he
began to walk from the alley.

"No,"
Xander said and shook his head," Fear won't call the police.
He'll pay the girl off and if she gives him a good description he'll
ask us about it next time we're here."

"We'll just
tell him we didn't want cops nosing around so we took care of it."
Tim said to which Xander nodded and smiled.

"Sounds
like a plan," Xander said as they took a right at the mouth of
the alley and began to walk away from the club toward the parking
garage down the block that housed the Redbird.

"If you
don't mind me asking," Robin started with hesitation.," How
did you know that was a vampire?"

"He was
dressed different from everyone in the club, his leather jacket had
high collars and were turned up. Like my friend Buffy always said,
she didn't spot vampires with her unnatural senses, it was just her
fashion sense."

"That's...
wrong somehow." Robin said as he snorted with laughter.

"Tell me
about it." Xander said with a smile. The two young men continued
the trek down the dark sidewalk.

Chapter One

Bat Cave. Morning.

Xander and Tim
watched as Batman stood in front of them. The man stood at full
height and sighed as he took off his cowl to reveal the features of
Bruce Wayne.

"Everything
went as planned?" The Dark Knight asked with no emotion in his
voice. The two young men nodded there heads in unison.

"Except,
well, we got in a fight with a vampire." Tim said with a
careless shrug. Bruce frowned slightly.

"Vampires
back in Gotham. Great."

"I'd like
to think it was a freak accident," Xander said before sighing,"
But, it's not. Night before last when I fought in the club, it was a
vampire."

"Why didn't
you tell me?" Batman growls out angrily. Xander looks at him
with a hardened glare before answering.

"The fact
that my friends are in costant danger is a little more important to
me than one damn vampire. I forgot." Xander said in a low tone
that spoke of regret, but not of being wrong. Bruce sighed and closed
his eyes.

"I
understand that," The Dark Knight said then looked at Xander.,"
But you have to focused on this case, I can't have you out there with
Tim if your not a hundred percent." Xander nods and uses his
right hand to rub his forehead.

"I know,
and I'm doing my best. What's best for the case." Xander said
with meaningful words that did what he expected. The Dark Knight
nodded and turned away. Satisfied. Xander turned and looked at Tim
with a large grin.

"Ready to
start training again?"

Young Justice HQ

Impulse stood in
open mouthed shock as the purple clad woman simply appeared in front
of himself and Suberboy. He was even more shocked when she and the
young super hero beside him smiled at one another.

"Aura."
Superboy said the smile on his face still growing. Aura nodded to him
with a smirk.

"SB. How ya
been kid?"

"Not bad.",
Kon answered and shook his head," Why are you here?" He
asked in his ever tactfull way.

"You told
me to call you when I restarted the rave." Aura said with a
smile as her motherbox appeared in her hands. Superboy's smile grew
even wider.

"Awesome,
Hey I got a friend I wanna introduce you to." Superboy said then
laughed when Aura looked at Impulse.

"Remember,"
Aura said with a smile," Meta's only." The smile fell from
Superboys face.

"Aw,"
The boy whined with a puppy dog look on his face," Come on Aura,
one exception?"

"Fine."
Aura said with a small smile.

"Great!,"
The teen of Steel yelled and pumped his fist into the air before
picking up Aura and flying to the entrance of the Justice Cave.

"Watch your
hands!!!!"

The two heroes,
one a young man and another a woman who seemed to be in her twenties
sat on the largest skyscraper in Gotham.

"Batman?!!"
Aura asked in a shocked voice. Superboy looked at her in shock before
shaking his head no very fast. Before he could answer another figure
sailed in landing beside him.

"Hey Kon."

"Ahh.."
Kon-El said and jumped slightly causing Aura and Xander to laugh.

"Don't do
that!" Kon said trying to regain his composure. The young clone
looked at his friend before cracking a smile.

"Cool
facepaint," Kon said to Xander before turning to Aura and
continueing," Told ya he'd be the life of the party."

"What
party?"

"That you
did." Aura answered Superboy with a small smile.

"What
party?"

"I'm always
right, the sooner you learn the better off you'll be." Superboy
said with a superior smirk.

"What
party?"

"Right,
like the time on New Genesis. You were so scared it was funny."

"What
party?"

"Was not?"
Superboy said childishly.

"What
party?"

"Was to."
Aura answered tauntingly.

"Um.. Guys,
what party?"

"Was not!"

"Was too!"

"SHUT
UP!!!" Xander yelled in a growl that silenced both the meta
humans.

"Okay,"
Xander said as they both looked at him.," What party?"

"The
Galatic Rave." Superboy said with a smile. Xander thought back
in his memory and remembered SBs' stories of his time with the
Ravers.

"I can't
tonight Kon," Crow said with a strong voice, "Got work to
do."

"I knew the
Batman thing would bite me in the ass." Superboy said with a
sigh and shake of his head.

"Look,"
Aura said with a smile," Why don't I give him a hand stamp and
he can join whenever he wants?" Superboy looked at Xander with a
questioning glance.

"Sounds
good to me." Crow said with what could almost pass for a smile.
Aura smiled and touched his hand imprinting it with the stamp
connected to her mother box.

"Awesome,
now me." Superboy said with a giant smile. Aura sighed and acted
as if disapointed.

"If I
must."

"HEY!!"
Superboy said indigently as Aura chuckled and touched his hand
placing the stamp there.

"Just touch
the stamp when you want to join us." Aura said and teleported
away.

"Thanks
Kon." Crow said with a real smile to which Superboy smiled back.

"No Prob
bro, couldn't let off a little steam without a few friends around."

"I gotta
get back to work. Let's meet at the Rave tomorrow night, eightish."

"You got it
bro, later." As Superboy flew into the sky Crow smiled and
jumped from the sky scraper firing his jumpline at the last second
and swinging toward the next block, where he would meet Tim for there
patrol.

"Nightwing
filled you in on his first night?" Robin asked as both he and
Crow swung through the Gotham skies.

"Yeah, all
he said was it was pretty hectic." Crow said knowing that there
was more to the story they weren't telling him.

"Yeah, from
what Batman says he's already had a run in with Angelus. Nightwing
says he can take him, Batmans not so sure." Robin said telling
his friend all that he knew, he wasn't going to hold back.

"I have
faith in Nightwing, and my old friends, they'll be okay." Xander
said confidently, Robin nodded in agreement.

"I know."
The young Boy Wonder said in answer.

"I still
wish I could help, if it gets any worse Batman is just going to have
to live without me."

"I know."
Robin said sincerly while in his head he thought the same thing of
himself. 'If Xander's gonna go, I'm going to. And so is the rest of
Young Justice.'

As the two young
men walked into Fatal Terrain for the third time everyone stepped out
of there way. Even the three vampire guards Xander spotted right away
moved out of there way with non-hostile motions. This was good, it
showed at least partial trust. Both Xander and Tim, AKA Spike and
Breaks nodded to them showing that they meant them no harm. At the
moment.

"This is
strange," Tim said lowly," I've never been trusted this
quickly before.

"Yeah, keep
your guard up," Xander said under his breath," This is most
likely a ploy." Tim nodded his agreement and the two continued
there walk across the club. As they sat at the bar two mugs were set
in front of them. Both young men looked at the beer and then turned
in there stools to survey the club. Most of the young women around
the club looked at the two younger boys in curiousity. A few, that
had seen them there last two times here, looked at them with
unhindered lust. Both young men kept there bearings, not allowing
anyone to see how uncomfortable the situation was making them.

"Heya
sexy." A sultry voice said from Tim's right side, the young man
turned quickly and stared straight into the ample chest of an older
woman. He slowly looked from her breast to her face and smiled a half
smile that almost conveyed his feelings. Nutrality.

"You must
be talkin to me." Tim said using a slight Brooklyn accent in his
Breaks persona.

"Yeah
right," Xander snorted from his left," Like that lovely
thing would want a midget like you."

"Bite me."
Breaks retorted with a small smile. Then looked back at the woman.

"Sorry
girly, It's all business tonight, some other time maybe." Tim
said with a smirk.

"Oh,"
The woman answered looking downcast as she handed him a napkin with
her number on it.," Call me somtime, I'm Candy."

"I'm sure
you are." Tim said the lazy smile still on his face as he tucked
the napkin in his jeans pocket and watched as the woman walked away.
He turned and noticed the glint in Xander's eyes. He knew he would be
teased mercilessly later. He almost sighed.

"Boss wants
to see both of you." The guard from the night before said as he
eyed the two with mixed feelings, rage and respect.

"We'll be
up in a minute." Xander said turning around and drinking from
his beer for the look. The guard growled but turned and walked back
toward the stairs that led to Mr. Fears' office.

"YOu ready
for this?" Tim whispered in Xander's ear as both young men began
to walk toward the stairs.

"Of course.
You?"

"Without a
doubt."

"Good."
Xander said and the two continued to walk. Not knowing that there
first job was scheduled for the next night.

Chapter 2

"What do
you want Vampire?" The figure asked Angelus as he stood with his
mask shining.

"I think
the question is.. How much do you want?"

"I'm not
cheap."

"With your
reputation you shouldn't be." Angel said with a serious tone.
The sick twisted smile that always graced his features was
temporarily gone.

"You the
Master of this town?" The assassin asked with a hint of dealing
in his voice.

"That's
right."

"I'll do
it, but you owe me a favor." The mercenary said in his deep
voice.

"Anything,
just find the Bat, I know the Harris kid sent Nightwing here. Find
the kid, kill him. And bring me his head."

"What about
Nightwing?"

"I'll
handle that little bug." Angelus said with his smile coming back
to his pale features.

"Angelus,
you now have Deathstroke, in your employ."

"I knew we
could reach an agreement." Angel said with a loud chuckle.

"That was
to easy." Tim AKA Breaks AKA Robin, said as both he and Xander
walked from the Museum of Fine Art.

"No
kidding. Kinda scary how easy." Xander. AKA Spike, AKA Crow,
said as he smiled and tapped the bag that held a nearly priceless
statue.

"Batman
will stop it from leaving the country. All we have to do is deliver
it to Fear and hit the rooftops for patrol." Tim said with a
smile.

"Race ya!"
Xander yelled as he took off with a two leg length head start. Tim
was right behind him.

Superboy Flew
over Metropolis with a smile on his face. Dubblex told him that
Superman wanted to see him. Wanted to talk to him. That could mean
any number of bad things.

"Superboy."
A voice said above the flying super teen that made the young man
twist quickly in mid air.

"Don't do
that!"

"Sorry."
Superman said with a humorous smile.," I heard about what you
did with the rogue Green Lantern while I was off world. That was
brave."

"Stupid
more like it." Superboy mumbled to himself.

"That to."
Superman said with an even bigger smile.," Still, it was the
right thing to do, took guts."

"I didn't
do anything, it was Xan... GL that beat him. Not me."

"You
helped. If you hadn't been on the scene there wouldn't be a Manhattan
Island anymore." Superman said with a serious voice. Superboy
didn't say anything as he looked down at the bustling city below
them.

"Wanna get
something to eat?" Superman asked out of the blue. Superboy
looked at Superman and smiled.

"Sure."

"Let's get
you a disguise and get some Pizza."

"Kewl!"

Xander sat in
the large Library of Wayne Manor. His eyes never leaving sight of his
left hand as it moved up and down the fret board of a very nice dark
blue acoustic guitar he had found in the room.

"Your
pretty good kid." A voice said from the doorway causing Xander
to look up quickly.

"Don't do
that!"

"Sorry."
Bruce Wayne said with an almost smile as he moved into the room and
sat across from his newest charge.

"No prob.
How's it going Mr. Wayne?" Xander asked as he casually plucked a
string on the guitar.

"Call me
Bruce." Wayne said as he smiled at Xander.," I'm fine, just
wondering how your holding up."

"I've been
doing this for almost two years Bruce, I can handle it." Xander
said with a small smile.

"Usually
time is what wears a person down." Bruce Wayne said speaking
from experience.

"I'm fine
Bruce. Really.," Xander started then sighed and began to talk.
"The physical pain of the job is nothing new. I've gotten used
to the pain, it's been with me my entire life." Xander sighed
again before continuing on a sensitive subject.

"Bruce. I
know you lost your parents. And In a way I did as well, I'm adopted.
Never knew my real parents. But you were a lucky guy for having
Alfred. My adopted parents were... well, there no prize. What I'm
saying is that in some way, be it right or wrong. I feel that I have
to prove myself worthy of knowing my real parents. To me there up
there close to god...." Xander trailed off and plucked a guitar
string.

"Bruce, you
do this for justice, and to a lesser extent vengeance. Me, I do it
for Justice, I do it because I know it's the right thing, but, the
main thing that drives me Bruce, is my own standards of who I should
be. I should be the guy on the frontlines. I should be the one to
fall fighting, not my loved ones. It might be a selfish reason, but
it keeps me going. And that's the one thing you don't have to worry
about Bruce, As long my friends are in danger, NOTHING will keep me
down."

"I know
that Xander," Bruce said with a serious expression.," Known
it since the moment I saw you fighting the Green Lantern."
Xander smiled at what he took as a compliment. Bruce smiled back and
continued talking. "There's a fundraise in two weeks at the
Museum of Fine Art," A small smile touched both men's faces.,"
I'd like you to accompany me as my... apprentice of sorts."

"Cool.
Wait, I have to wear a tux don't I?"

"Nah, We'll
find you something a little more... trendy. Play me something."
Bruce Wayne leaned back in his comfortable leather chair as Xander
smiled and began to strum.

Warrior felt
like a million bucks. He and Kyle Rayner, The last Green Lantern,
flew through space at what had to be light speed. Creating holes in
the very fabric of space only to come out near the very planet they'd
been looking for. Gacieric. A planet of warriors, noble warriors.
Much like the nearly extinct Vuldarian race that Guy Gardner himself
belonged to. Supposedly on this planet there was an amulet, that when
worn would give extremely powerful powers to it's bearer. That was
there prize on this mission. And it was also the gift that would keep
giving. It was going to Xander Harris. There friend.

Two days LaterFriday.

"So the big
bad bat let you have the weekend off?" Superboy asked as he and
Crow sat ate a slice of pizza each while sitting on the top of Wayne
Tech.

"Yep. So...
Ya wanna check out that Intergalactic Rave thingy?"

"Yeah, man
I'm not kidding it is totally awesome. You'll have the time of your
life."

"So I'm
pretty much going to be dead by morning huh?" Xander asked with
a small smirk.

"Yep,"
Superboy said with a smile as he pushed on his stamp and vanished.

"Okay."
Xander said a little weary as he pushed on his stamp and vanished in
a sea of lights. He was going to the rave.

"Holy...."
Xander let his comment fade into silence as he took in the loud music
and the many people and aliens dancing on the huge asteroid.

"Told you
it was awesome." Superboy said as he slapped Crow on the back.

"Yeah, you
did." Crow said entirely to caught up in the situation to come
up with a sarcastic comment.

"AURORA!!"
Superboy yelled as he took flight leaving Xander in the middle of the
crowd.

"Hey
cutie," A blue skinned alien said as she floated over to Xander
and began to dance with him.," What's with the Goth look?"

"Fits my
bosses demeanor. I'm Crow."

"Adrena.
From Quans sector." The blue skinned beauty said with a smile.

"Quans huh?
So you can read minds huh?" Crow asked all the while picturing
the alien naked. Adrena blushed causing Crow to laugh lightly.

"Make you a
deal. We dance, no reading my mind."

"You drive
a hard bargain." Adrena said as she moved closer to Xander and
the two began to dance.

"That's the
name of the game beautiful."

"Already
movin on my old turf." Superboy said with a smile while shaking
his head.

"He's
certainly a charmer." Aura said as they watched Crow dance with
Adrena., "Much smoother than you ever were."

"HEY!
That's not true, I can be smooth."

"Prove it.
I bet you can't get any girl here." Aurora said with a big
bright smile. Superboy looked at her with a scowl and took off for
the dance floor.

"Your on!"

"Finally,
got rid of the little pest." Aurora said with a friendly smile.

"So your
from earth?" Adrena asked as the two began to dance to a slow
song.

"Yeah, from
Gotham City actually." Crow stated with a smile. He was about to
say something else when he heard Superboy scream his name.

"Damn."
Crow gritted out before shooting a line to snag the stage lights, he
then went swinging in the direction of the fighting. Crow swung
around both legs extended in front of him as he saw the three aliens
advancing on Superboy who was in a bring it on pose. Crow slammed
into the biggest one with all the momentum he could manage and
flipped forward as the alien went down hard. Xander landed beside
Superboy in a crouch facing the two aliens left.

"What the
hell did you do?!" Crow yelled at Superboy not taking his eyes
off the two green scaled aliens in front of him.

"Nothin, I
was just over there talking to the pretty yellow lady when..."

"Okay, I've
heard enough. I should just let you get pounded." Crow said with
a sigh in his voice.

"I could
take these guys no prob. Just thought you might like a workout, ya
know, stay fit and all." Superboy said with a smirk on his face.
Crow chuckled and let a smirk touch his lips.

"Fine, you
take the big one."

"Why do
I??... Never mind." Superboy said while he shook his head and
moved his feet slightly so he was facing the biggest alien.

"Ready?"
Crow asked low and slow.

"YEAH!!!!"
Superboy yelled as he rocketed off the ground and toward his
adversary. Crow smiled and laughed as he moved forward his hand going
for his utility belt. He threw the bat-arange with a laugh and
watched as the alien blocked it with a forearm. As the big alien
screamed in pain Xander fell short and slid feet first into the big
aliens knees. As the alien fell Xander rolled away and kipped up to
his feet with a smirk and yell.

"OH YEAH!!"
He said with a laugh. His opponent just groaned in pain. Xander
looked over just in time to see Superboy body slam his opponent with
a laugh and fly into the air yelling out his victory.

"I told
you!!!" Superboy yelled down to Crow while laughing.

"Yeah!"
Crow said with a genuine fun filled smile. This was going to be
awesome.

Chapter 3

Wayne Manor

"Have a
good night?" Bruce Wayne asked as Xander dragged himself in the
front door.

"Yeah,"
Xander said as he gritted his teeth in slight pain.," Just hurt
my shoulder a little."

"Have
Alfred look at it for you. So what happened?"

"Kon
wouldn't stop hitting on unavailable women. Finally I just found him
one and got to enjoy myself." Xander had a large smile on his
face as he slid into a seat opposite Bruce. The Dining table between
them. Bruce snorted lightly.

"Sound's
like the kid."

"Am I still
going to museum with you next week?" Xander ask as he sips a cup
of coffee that Alfred had put on the table for Bruce.

"Yes,
unless of course Alfred catches you drinking my coffee." Bruce
says with a smirk which causes Xander to quickly put the coffee mug
on the table and slide it back to Bruce.

"Our little
secret?" Xander ask while looking around the room.

"Of
course."

"One more
free night Xander. What do you have planned?" Batman asked as if
he didn't already know.

"Nightwing's
swinging by to pick me up. I'm going home till Monday."

"Be
careful." Bruce said with a no emotion tone. Xander smiled and
saluted the Batman.

"Yes Sir!"
Xander could tell by the look in Bruce's' eyes that he was in for one
hell of a training session when he returned.

Wayne Jet.Mid-flight.

"How does
it feel to be going home?" Dick Grayson asked Xander as they sat
in the luxurious corporate jet of Wayne Tech.

"I'm scared
as hell."

"That's
pretty funny being that your not afraid of hell." Dick said with
a smile.

"Oh, I'm
afraid of it, just used to it by now." Xander said with a
smile., "How are they?"

"Well,"
Dick AKA Nightwing started., "Buffy's being pretty bitchy, I
think it's because she's just got so much on her right now. I kinda
let something slip though, I told her a friend of her's asked me to
watch over them."

"In your
Nightwing persona?"

"Yeah. It's
all I could think of at the time. And I felt she deserved some
explanation." Dick said with an embarrassed look on his face.

"Giles is
good, just trying to keep everyone in line. He's a hell of a guy."

"That he
is." Xander said with a smile.

"Willow is
doing great," Dick looked in thought for a second.," I'm
actually thinking that IF we come out of this friends, Willow and I I
mean, she'd be a great back up Oracle." Xander just nodded his
agreement.

"Well, I
guess we'll head straight for the library. School should be just
about over by the time we hit Sunnyhell."

"Sounds
like a plan." Dick agreed with a smile.

The halls of
Sunnydale High were deserted as Dick and Xander made there way toward
the library. The last classes of the day were just about over and the
two wanted to be in the library to talk with Giles before the others
arrived. As they walked through the doors of the library Xander
yelled out in his ever sophisticated way.

"G-Man! I'm
home!" A curse was heard as a book fell in the back of the
stacks. Giles walked out from behind the book stacks rubbing his head
and glaring at Xander. The glare turned into a smile rather quickly
though.

"Xander,"
Giles stated as he walked up to the young man and gave him a quick
hug.," Good to see you." Xander gave him a manlier version
of the same hug back.

"Good to
see you to Giles, Dick filled me in on the way here."

"Very
good." Giles said still smiling but he removed his glasses to
wipe them and Xander saw the bags under his eyes.

"Haven't
been sleeping." Xander stated as he pushed the watcher toward
the library table and made him sit down. ,"That's not good, not
with all the stuff going on."

"I
just...," Giles started but couldn't think of anything to say.
Xander was right.

"Dick and I
will handle this as soon as we can." Xander said as he looked at
Dick with pleading eyes.

"I'll call
him and tell him your staying the week." Dick said as he turned
and walked into the stacks pulling his cell phone in the process.

"Thanks."
Xander said as he sat down opposite Giles.

"So I hear
you and Miss. Calendar are all.... sexin.." Xander said barely
getting the last word out without laughing. Giles' head shot up fast
and he looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a Big Rig.

"We do no
such thing!!" Then the man blushed knowing that he had over done
the outrage. Xander smiled widely. But he kept the information he had
found out about Jenna Calderdash to himself. Now wasn't the time.

"It's cool
Giles, I'm just glad I learned to turn my overactive imagination
off." Xander said with a straight face that made Giles glare at
the young man.

"Stuff it."
The man said in a clipped voice. Xander laughed out loud.

"Your
learning insults. I'm so proud." Before Giles could even growl
in annoyance the doors flew open and Buffy, Willow, and Oz walked in.
Willow was babbling a mile a minute but suddenly stopped causing her
friend and her boyfriend to turn and look at her curiously. Then
follow her shocked stare to the table.

"XANDER!"
Willow yelled with a smile and ran toward him. Xander barely had a
chance to stand before Willow wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Hey Wills.
Doing good?" All he heard as answer was a lot of babble. It kind
of made him sad that he didn't understand Willow babble anymore.

"She said
yes." Oz stated as he must have noticed the confusion on
Xander's face. Xander smiles at him gratefully., "Good to see
you man." Oz said in his tone, a slight smile on his face.

"Same here
man." I say and look toward Buffy who just stands there staring
at him like he's a ghost from her past. He is in a way.

"Hey Buff,
how ya been?" I ask forcing my Xander grin up. It doesn't come
as easy as it used to but it looks sufficient.

"Alright I
guess." She says and gets a slight smile on her face. It's not
the smile that worries Xander, it's the glint in her eyes. She's
going to want to talk to him alone.

"I've got
to patrol tonight Xan," She states with a smile., "Wanna be
my back up?" Xander knew he couldn't and wouldn't say no, no
matter the cost.

"Sure, I'll
be your patrol buddy."

11 p.m.One of the many cemetery's of Sunnydale.

The dynamic duo
of Buffy and Xander walked through the darkness, between the rows of
grave markers and under the trees that provided shad during the
daylight hours.

"Start
asking already." Xander said as he held a stake in his left hand
and a pair of brass knuckles on his right.

"How do you
know Superboy and Nightwing?"

"Right into
the tough questions." Xander said with a laugh. Then he settled
on telling a half truth.

"I was a
Green Lantern." Xander said with no room for doubt. Buffy looked
at him in shock, sure she suspected it but to actually hear it from
Xander was a different story.

"I thought
as much. What happened Xander? We haven't seen you on T.V lately."
Buffy said and for a moment Xander's saddened. He knows he can't and
won't tell her everything.

"They told
me I wasn't good enough for the ring Buff. Kinda like everything in
my life up to now. I wasn't good enough. But, I've gotten better, a
lot better."

"Oh
really?" A voice that made Buffy shiver said with a sarcastic
tone. Angelus walked out of the darkness, the evil smile on his face.
Xander stepped in front of Buffy on instinct. Angelus smiled at the
simple movement.

"Wanna test
me Deadboy?" Xander growled out as his face turned to a stone
cold look of hatred. One that promised death.

"Who do you
think you are? Buffy's White Knight? Taking over my old job?"

"It was
never your job, It might have been Angel's for a time. Never yours."
Xander said his voice void of all emotion but hatred.

"Finally,"
Angelus says with a smile as he tosses his hands in the air in a show
of appreciation., "Someone recognizes that I'm not the brooding
wonder."

"I'm not
sure I could beat Angel, but you? I don't have to hold back with
you." Xander said as he took a step toward the dark haired
vampire.

"Ah ah."
Angelus said as he waved his finger in the air toward Xander in a
motion that said no. "I don't think Buffy here will let you
stake me. After all, I am her love, and lover." Angelus said
leering at Buffy using the time to try to make Xander even more
angry., "After all, I was her first, I am her only." The
smile was sick and twisted. A knot formed in the pit of Xander's
stomach but his training with Batman and Robin allowed him to hide
his anxiety.

"A year ago
that would have made me run headlong and try and stake you. But I did
something that you'll never be able to do after tonight Angel. I got
over it." Xander said letting a smirk fall on his lips. He might
not have the costume on but at that moment, he was Crow. Xander
Harris was just the voice in the back of his mind keeping him sane.
Angelus was thrown for a moment and he growled in anger.

"I'm going
to rip your throat out Harris."

"Let's see
you try bloodsucker." In mere seconds the two warriors had
closed the gape between them. The fight had begun.

Chapter 4

Buffy stood
rooted to the ground as Xander slammed his right fist into Angelus'
jaw. the brass knuckles ripped away the vampires flesh but the cuts
seemed to stop bleeding before Xander's fist left the vampires skin.
The young man jumped back quickly out of reach of Angelus' legs. And
that was when he knew how to fight the vampire. It was the complete
opposite of how he had been trained with Robin, he had to get in
close. To keep the vampires strong legs out of the fight.

"You have
improved, a few months ago and you wouldn't have laid a hand on me."
Angelus said disgusted that this lesser man had laid a hand on his
face.

"I get
better.," Xander said with a becking motion of his hand., "Let's
see if your as good as you think you are Angelus." Xander said
the last part hoping to anger the vampire. Xander knew, that if
anything, Angelus was better. The vampire came in quickly. His right
leg leading the way. Xander just had time to fall backwards into a
hand spring to miss the kick. Then while Angelus was slightly shocked
by the movement Xander landed his back hand spring and used all the
power in his legs to throw him toward the stunned vampire. The young
man threw the most powerful right hook he could manage and the master
Vampire went down. For a moment. Xander rolled with his own momentum
and came up on his feet kicking out with a right leg and hammering
Angelus in the face as the vampire began to stand tall. The vampire
fell a step back but kept his footing. Xander didn't let that slow
his progess down as he spun with the kick and landed a left heel to
the side of the vampires jaw spinning Angelus around only to find
Xander's own feet taken out from under him. As Xander went down he
tried to roll, to fall the right way so he could breath. Only the
ground under him wasn't level and the small of his back landed on a
large rock. As the breath was forced out of him Angelus was on the
young man with a vengence. Blow after blow rocked the young man's
head back slamming it into the hard ground.

"NO!!!"
The feminine growl echoed through the darkness as Buffy The Vampire
Slayer flying tackled the master vampire and began to hammer blows on
his 'TRUE' face. As Angelus took the pounding Xander finally inhaled
a deep breath and rolled to his feet. Buffy screamed in agony as her
ex-lover grabbed her blonde locks and pulled them with his vampiric
strength nearly throwing the young woman off him. Xander ran toward
the still downed vampire and slid baseball style into The Scourge Of
Europes side. The vampire howled in pain but rolled with the blow
coming to his feet at the same time as his young human challenger.

"Looks like
Nightwing taught you a few new tricks." Angelus said with malace
and anger in his normally mocking voice.

"I didn't
teach him anything Angelus." A voice called out from the
darkness and Nightwing jumped out of the shadows to land between
Xander and the vampire. ,"Yet. Wanna be my assistant in this
lesson?" The Vampire looked at his surroundings. A superhero, A
slayer, and a young man who'd just met him blow for blow. The odds
weren't in his favor.

"Another
time.," Angelus said his grin forming on his face as he turned
to look at the angry Buffy.," Ta ta lover." And like the
mist he vanished. Nightwing turned and looked at Xander.

"You have
gotten better." Buffy stood with her mouth open.

Sunnydale Library.Next Day.

"..Then
Nightwing showed up and Angelus ran like a little baby." Buffy
said with the first real smile she'd worn in weeks. The rest of the
table was in just as good of humor. Except suprisingly Xander. Willow
noticed before anyone else.

"What's
wrong Xander?"

"Angelus
has something planned." Xander said his voice without any real
emotion.

"What makes
you think that Xander?" Buffy asked as she began to worry about
her friend.

"He could
have killed me Buff," Xander stated while looking her in the
eyes.," He didn't. He has a reason. I just can't figure it out."

"He
couldn't kill you Xander. You were fighting just as good as he was,
if not better." Buffy said with a suprisingly gentle tone.
Almost one of disbelief, almost one of respect.

"No, he
took me down. I was on my back, all he had to do was stab me with the
knife he carries in his left boot. But, he didn't. I think he wanted
me as a.... hostage."

"For
Buffy." Willow says with a knowing tone.

"No,"
Dick Grayson says as he sits down beside Xander.," For
Nightwing."

"W..."
Willow began to ask but was cut off by Xander.

"Yeah,"
Xander started while staring at everyone in the table individually.,"
Nightwing is an unknown, much more dangerous to him than Buffy. No
offense." Xander said tossing one of his old smiles to the
slayer who merely shrugged.

"Your
right." Buffy said shocking nearly everyone in the room.
Everyone except Xander. I knew she'd come around. The young man
thought to himself his smile growing larger by the minute.

"What do
you propose we do Xander?" Giles asked the young man who leaned
back. Dick Grayson didn't voice his opinion. He wanted to see how
much of a tactician Xander had become.

"I'm going
out tonight. To the Bronze. Alone." Xander said with a small
smile. Dick was about to voice his disagreement but Xander spoke
before anyone could. "I want him to catch me. I'll use a
tracking device of Nightwings. You can all follow the signal. That
way we can find out where he's hiding and then. WE can take him
down."

"No,"
Buffy said with an adamant tone.," It's to dangerous. To many
things could go wrong."

"It's all
we've got." Dick said with a low tone. He didn't like the plan
any better than the Slayer. Only he knew that Xander could pull it
off.

"Shut up!
Your not even part of this conversation!" Buffy yelled in anger.
Xander slightly snickered at the look of rage that formed on Dick's
face. But the young Bat protege held his temper. For now.

"Buff, cut
the guy some slack. He seems okay," Xander said then his smile
widened.," In a I'm a wussy kinda way." The glare the
young Crow recieved could have killed Superman. Would have made
Batman proud. It only made Xander laugh.

The group
watched from monitors a few buildings down from the alley behind the
bronze. The mini camera's set up and down the alley at various angles
,courtesy of Oracle Inc., gave the scoobies a birds eye view of the
action.

"This is
boring." Dick Grayson said as he watched Xander walk out of the
Bronze with his arm around what appeared to be a young woman.

"Is Xander
picking up that girl?" Willow asked slightly appalled at the
thought. Dick chuckled thinking the entire time that if she knew how
smooth Xander could be she'd faint.

"Nah, it's
a vamp." Buffy said with a dull tone. Although for a moment she
thought the same thing, and had a rather confusing feeling about it.
The groups eyes widened and they gasped at once as they saw the
fifteen or more vampires coming in behind Xander. What they didn't
know, was that Xander was aware of them even before the woman under
his arm had become dust.

The scoobies
watched the fight in utter amazement. Even Buffy and Dick couldn't
believe how Xander was doing. Much better than either had ever seen
him fight. It was like he knew Angel was watching him, and wanted to
prove that he was worthy. Or better.

"How did he
do that?" Willow asked in awe as Xander ran up a wall and
flipped off it throwing a stake out of his left hand and dusting a
vampire while using the stake in his right to catch the vampire that
was chasing him through the back.

"...."
Everyone was to stunned to answer the red heads question.

Xander was
getting tired. He had dusted six vampires already and he was
beginning to get a little sloppy. But no one but himself could tell
that. He spun as a vampire on his right tried to hit him with a left
cross. As he spun he squated down and threw the stake in his right
hand at a vampire that was a few feet away. Dust. As he completed the
spin he started to stand and triggered a button on the inside of his
long sleeved jacket with his left hand. A stake fell out of his right
sleeve and into his palm as he slammed his arm forward into the chest
of the vampire that had tried to deck him just a second earlier.
Dust. Seven down. Eight to go. He was done for. Xander fell forward
as a vampire hit him with a shoulder rush in the back. The young hero
rolled forward landing on his feet as the vampire fell on his face
just a foot behind him. Xander turned and quickly put his back
against the brick wall of the Bronze. He surveyed his opponents and
knew that he was going to have to try something drastic. He knew that
he couldn't win, not a chance in hell, but he wasn't going to go
easy. With a deep breath, Xander did the craziest, most unexpected
thing he could think of. He charged.

"Holy..."
Buffy said as she watched Xander run toward the horde of vampires.
Willow was in mute shock, Giles had a look of pure terror on his
face. Oz looked like he was about to explode, and Dick Grayson, Dick
laughed.

"He doesn't
know he's going to win." Dick said with a laugh.

"He can't.
There's no way he can take fifteen vamps." Buffy said as she
looked at Dick like he was crazy.

"I didn't
think so either, I was wrong. For once." Dick said as his smile
grew.

"Won't that
ruin the plan?" Willow finally asked. Dick just shrugged in
answer.

Three left.,
Xander thought as he stood with his back to the mouth of the alley.
He looked at the three frightened vampires and smiled a tired smile.
Then a sharp pain hit him in the back of the head. And he went down.
He was beaten.

"Damn."
Dick Grayson said as he watched the figure walk into frame. He
couldn't believe it.

"What?"
Buffy asked her eyes still glued to the string. A worry filled tone
in her voice as she watched the costumed man pick up Xander and turn
away from the three remaining vampires.

"Deathstroke."
Dick said with a trace of worry in his own voice.," Deathstroke,
The Terminator."

Chapter 5

"Wake up!"
Xander heard Angelus scream as he also felt a hard kick hit his ribs.
He rolled with the kick and stood unsteadily.

"I'm up
Deadboy."

"Why didn't
you just kill him?" Angelus asked a figure that was surrounded
by shadows.

"I'm a man
of some honor Angelus. I want the kid to fight me even. He did take
out all your lackeys. And I haven't had a good challenge in a long
time." Deathstroke the Terminator said as he moved into the
light and looked at Xander through his masked eye. Xander snorted
softly and smirked.

"If it
isn't Strokehead...or somethin..." Xander smiled as he noticed
the assassins body stiffen slightly in shock and anger. Even Angelus
smiled at the joke.

"Maybe I
want to kill the kid now." Angelus said with a smile on his face
as he looked from Xander to Deathstroke.

"Fine. But
I still want my money."

"You'll get
your money." Angelus growled out and began to advance on Xander.

"Why the
hell did you wake me up in the middle of the night Bird-boy? And why
am I in some two bit shit town?" Roy Harper in his Arsenal
persona asked as Nightwing molded out of the shadows in the alley
behind the Bronze.

"A friend
of mine, a partner really, was taken by Deathstroke in this alley
earlier tonight."

"Deathstroke?
Damn, I'll get on the horn to the other tita...."

"No, just
you and me, and a few of Xander's friends. We can't have all the
titans running around here. Could you imagine what Damage could do to
this little town?" Nightwing smirked as Arsenal laughed
involuntarily.

"Fine, you
got it Bat-boy. Let's get this show on the road."

"Come on,
we're meeting his friends at the High School."

"High
School?!"

Xander hit the
ground hard but rolled backwards to his feet as Angelus moved in for
a foot stomp. As the Master Vampires' foot hit the ground Xander fell
forward into a hand stand and slammed both feet into Angelus' jaw
causing the vamp to fly off his feet and land a few feet away on his
back.

"That all
you got Angelus?" Xander asked with a blood covered smile.
Angelus kipped up to his feet and fell into a fighting stance. His
first since the fight had begun.

"I'm going
to rip your throat out Harris!"

"Heard that
before captain hair gel." Xander said with a false amused voice.
His eyes were cold, filled with a look that Deathstroke knew well. He
was in this fight for the duration. Death, dismemberment. He'd go as
far as his body would let him, then he'd go a little farther.
Deathstrokes view of the kid went up a notch.," I can kick your
ass all over this mansion."

"You seem
to think that I'm going to fight fare." Angelus said just as the
room began to fill with vampires. One of the thirty or more vamps
quickly became dust.

"And you,"
Nightwing said as he and Arsenal jumped from a ledge on one of the
higher windows," seem to think he doesn't have friends."
Xander smiled as Nightwing landed between himself and Angelus.

"I'll take
care of Angelus, make sure Buffy and the others can get in."
Nightwing began to lead. Like always. Xander nodded his head and
caught a stake Arsenal had thrown him without looking.

"You got it
partner."

"Come on
kid, let's put these things in a dust buster." Arsenal said to
which Xander looked at him like he was stupid.

"Is that
all you can come up with?"

"Shut up
and fight." Arsenal said with a smile on his face.

"Yes sir."
Xander said a serious look falling onto his normally smiling face. He
saw Deathstroke from the corner of his eye and did the dumbest thing
he could think of. He raised his head in a challenge. Deathstroke
seems shocked at first. But only nodded his head in acceptance and
began to work his way through the vampires between them. Dust
settling behind him as he swung his sword with deadly accuracy.
Xander just fought, and waited. Knowing that in seconds he was going
to fight one of the deadliest people in the world. He was cursing
himself for such a bold and stupid idea.

"We have to
get inside!" Buffy yelled as she kicked the solid doors of the
Mansion. They didn't budge.

"DAMNIT!"
The slayer cursed causing all her friends including her mentor Giles
to look at her in shock. She didn't seem to notice.

"Step
aside." Giles said as he moved forward and pulled a lock pick
kit from his jacket pocket.

"You know
how to pick a lock?!" Buffy asked in astonishment as Willow
looked just as shocked and Oz seemed to smile slightly.

"Misspent
youth." Was all Giles said before he got to work.

Xander turned to
face the assassin as Deathstroke cut through the last vampire between
them.

"You talk
about honor right? But you help people like Angelus. There's no honor
in blood money."

"Never said
I was the most honorable."

"Let's see
how good you really are Merc." Xander said falling into a
fighting stance. A soft snort was made by Deathstroke as he put his
sword on his back beside his gun and fell into his own stance. As the
assassin leapt forward Xander jumped straight in the air throwing his
upper body forward into a flip he used both hand to quickly grasp the
gun and sword on the assassins back pulling them smoothly from there
sheaths. As he landed behind the stunned Deathstroke he kicked out
with his left leg hitting the mercenary behind his right knee then
the young hero threw an elbow into the back of the assassins head.
Xander leapt away from the dazed assassin throwing the shotgun to
Arsenal as he turned and pulled the sword up in a defensive stance.

"You
underestimated me." Xander said with a smirk as Deathstroke
smiled under his mask.

"Don't
worry. I won't do that again."

"You won't
have the chance." Xander said with no smile and no emotion. The
young man moved forward quickly and swung the sword in a wide arc.
Deathstroke stepped forward and slammed a right forearm into Xander's
left elbow causing the youth to drop the sword in pain. As the sword
hit the floor with a metallic clang Deathstroke brought an elbow up
and into the bridge of Xander's nose causing the blood vessels in his
nasal passage to burst. The young mans' eyes began to water and his
vision blurred. All he could see was the orange and blue mask of the
assassin. And he could faintly hear the figure laughing.

"GET AWAY
FROM HIM!!!" A female voice screamed just as a foot hit the side
of Deathstrokes head knocking the mercenary ten feet through the air
only for the figure to slide another five when it hit the hard floor
of the mansion.

"Xander are
you okay?" Buffy asked as she helped the young hero to his feet.

"Sure Buff.
Thanks for the save." Xander said and wiped his eyes clearing
them. Buffy saw his eyes widen as he pushed her out of the way and
took the right that Deathstroke had thrown at the back of Buffy's
head. As Xander turned with the blow he raised his right leg and
landed a side kick on the unprotected stomach of Deathstroke the
Terminator. The mercenary leaned forward only to get a left knee into
his nose making it bleed under his mask. Xander raised his right and
about to put all the strength he had into a right cross when
Deathstroke lashed out with a hard left jab that hit Xander just
below the throat. The young man fell back a step and began coughing.
Buffy lashed out with a roundhouse kick that caught the mercenary by
surprise hitting the man in the side of the head.

"Don't
forget about me." The slayer said with a growl as she jumped
into the air and snapped kick at the assassin head. Deathstroke
ducked the kick and lashed out with a right foot that caught the
slayer in her lower left leg knocking the girl to the ground.
Deathstroke moved in and went for a stomp that was deflected by
Xander's left leg as he kicked from the side and threw a right hook
that caught the mercenary in the jaw. As Deathstroke fell back Xander
jumped in the air and landed a side kick just under the assassins
jaw. Deathstroke flew backward and landed on his back a few feet
away.

Nightwing fell
back with as Angelus landed a side kick on the heroes ribs, cracking
at least one. As Angelus moved forward with a right cross Nightwing
ducked left and slammed a ridge hand into the vampires 'real' face.
As Angelus stumbled back Nightwing jumped forward slamming a right
foot into the master vamps face. Just as the young hero was going to
spin into a side kick he was tackled by a newby. Nightwing rolled
with the tackle putting his legs between the vampire and himself and
threw the vampire behind him as he rolled to his feet only to receive
a vicious kick to the stomach by Angelus. The fight wasn't near over.

"What have
we here?" Arsenal said as he cornered a wheel chair bound
William the Bloody.

"Come on
mate, I'm in a chair here. I'm not dangerous."

"Not now,
but you will be someday."

"Well,
that's true. I guess you got me there. But hey, I'm a vampire, evil
ya know." Spike said with a careless shrug. Arsenal looked at
him confused only to fly into a wall as Drusilla hit the hero from
behind. The gun the man had in his hands clattered to floor and was
kicked further away by Drusilla.

"Miss Edith
didn't say anything about you. Just about the young friend of the
slayer.. Who are you?"

"Lady, I
don't know who the hell Miss Edith is but I think I'm offended she
didn't mention me. I mean. All women love me." Arsenal said with
a big smile as he stood. Drusilla seemed puzzled at first before she
looked at him.

"I don't
like you."

"Feeling's
pretty mutual there toots." Roy said as he quickly reached
behind him and pulled a compact crossbow. His aim was true as he
pulled the trigger and his smiled as the bolt was shot toward the
vampires heart.

"Fuck
me..." He said in shock as Drusilla plucked the crossbow bolt
from the air inches away from her unmoving chest.

"That's not
nice." The female master vamp said even as her face changed and
she moved forward.

"She was
kinda hot till now." Arsenal said to himself as he went on the
defensive.

Giles, Oz, and
Willow stood in a circle back to back dusting any demon dumb enough
to come within range. Giles' rapier moved through the air with deadly
accuracy. Oz and Willow's crossbow bolts hit the unbeating hearts of
there enemies with every shot. The vampires numbers were beginning to
fall.

Drusilla moved
with a deadly efficiency that kept Roy Harper on the defensive.
Finally just as Drusilla landed both feet on the ground after a jump
spin kick Arsenal found his opening. He fell sideways scissor kicking
the female vamps legs and making Drusilla fall forward. Just as the
vampires face hit the concrete floor Arsenal slammed his stake into
her back causing her to scream in pain just before she burst into
dust. Arsenal kipped up to his feet and threw his stake without
looking. He turned when he didn't hear a scream in pain. The stake
was sticking out of the back of an empty wheel chair.

Xander chanced a
look in Nightwing's direction as he dodge a right hook thrown by
Deathstroke. The Bludhaven hero was circled by five vamps and Angelus
and holding his own.

"Buff. Go
help Nightwing!" Xander yelled as he ducked under a left hook
and spun out of the way of a right snap kick.

"But..."

"GO!"
Xander screamed as he landed a right into Deathstrokes stomach. As
Buffy turned Xander was caught off guard by an uppercut that sent the
young man reeling backwards.

"Without
your partner your nothing to me."

"Maybe.,"
Xander said with a smile as he held up his hand. A pin swung on his
middle finger.," Maybe not." Deathstroke looked down and
quickly pulled at the grenade held on his belt. He threw it away from
him only for it to explode mere feet in front of his face. The
assassin flew backwards into a wall. He was out. Unfortunately, the
blast had also caught Xander and thrown the young man backwards with
brutal force. As the young man slid across the floor knocking over
one of the few vampires still alive all he could think of was the
pain.

Buffy stepped in
front of Angelus as Nightwing began to dust the five vampires around
him.

"He's mine
Nightwing." She said with a sad but strong voice.

"You think
you can do it lover?" Angelus asked with a cocky voice that made
Buffy shake in anger.

"Big words
from such a little girl." Angelus said with his evil smirk.
Buffy fell into a fighting stance. No more words were spoken as the
two, slayer and vampire. Fought the fight that was destined since the
beginning. Only one would walk away.

Arsenal slid to
a stop by Xander's still form and began to check the young mans'
injuries.

"Come on
kid." The hero whispered to himself as he felt the young mans
skull for any fractures. He found none. Xander groaned and woke as
Arsenal tried to roll the kid over.

"Man, you
had me worried for a minute there kid."

"I'm good,
got a hard head.," Xander said as he sat up slowly. He looked
around and saw Nightwing fighting the last of the vampires and the
others watching Buffy's fight with Angelus.," What about
Deathstroke?"

"He's gone.
You did good kid. Didn't think anyone younger than me and Bird-boy
over there could go toe to toe with Deathstroke."

"Thanks,
help me up man. I gotta help Buff."

"Stay put
kid. I'll take care of Angelus."

"NO!,"
Xander yelled with authority as he began to stand on his own. Arsenal
rolled his eyes and helped the young man to his feet.," This is
Buffy's fight. Stay out of it unless she gets hurt. She has to do
this alone."

"You know
your not gonna stay out of it kid." Arsenal pointed out with a
smile.

"Well, it's
mine and Buffy's fight."

"Your
definatly one of the Bat kids." Arsenal said as Xander walked as
quickly toward the fight as he could. He was the first one to notice
that Angel had fallen beside Deathstrokes sword. He was the first one
that began to run toward Buffy as Angel readied the swing. And he was
the one that pushed Buffy out of the way as the sword cleaved through
the air, and into his chest.

"NO!"
Buffy screamed and reacted on instinct spinning and grabbing Angelus'
wrist. She twisted the sword free and kept the spin going as she
swung the sword. Angelus had a shocked look on his face just as the
metal of the sword bit into his neck. Then, he was dust. The sword
fell out of Buffy's hands just as the dust settled. She hit her knees
beside Xander and cradles his head in her lap.

"Your gonna
be okay Xander." She said while all the others nodded in
agreement but still had the worried look in there eyes.

"Not, this
time Buff......" Xander wheezed out with a soft smile on his
blood covered face.

"No, we'll
get you help. Please hang on." Willow said as she joined Buffy
on her knees and held Xander's hand. Nightwing cut off his
communicator as he had Oracle call and ambulance.

"To...
late... Wills. Love ya.... all of you......" Xander closed his
eyes and took a deep breath.

Chapter 6

The world of
Apocalypse. A world ravaged by war, it's flames burning so high and
bright that they could be seen from the far reaches of space. A
world, that though known was uncharted.

"Lord
Darkseid. Preparations have been completed. We are ready to move."
One of Darksieds many worshipers said as he pressed a few keys on a
large computer.

"Very well.
We shall make our move in two days earth time."

"Why then
my lord?"

"It's going
to be a very special anniversary. One that the Kryptonian is going to
be noticing."

"The
anniversary of Doomsday." Darkseid answered with a sinister
laugh.

Sunnydale
Memorial hospital was busy. Many people had been hurt in the last
nights and the doctors were all on duty. The waiting room was filled
with many friends and families from the injured. But the patient with
the most support was Alexander Harris. His friends and family sat and
stood in a far corner. Comforting one another. Buffy Anne Summers.
Rupert Giles, Willow Rosenburg, Daniel Osborne. The scoobies were all
present. Even Cordelia Chase had made a quick appearance. The rest of
the people in the room were a surprise. Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson,
Timothy Drake, an older gentleman known as Alfred. More and more
people began to file into the room. Karl Grummet (superboy), Cissie
King Jones, Cassie Sandsmark, Bart Allen. The members of Young
Justice had not forgotten Xander. There friend. Clark Kent was there.
A hand on Bruce's shoulder and a restraining hand on Karl's as well.

"He'll be
okay." Clark said with an authorities voice.

"I know."
Bruce said with a low voice. The members that knew he was Batman just
stood in shock. Though most didn't know this of the man.

"Just
wait," Karl said with a smile.," He and I'll be scopin the
babe scene before Friday." The group laughed at the thought and
everyone had a quick reprieve from the weight on there shoulders.

"Remember
the stories he told us when we went camping?" Cassie asked with
a small smile.

"Ah, the
skateboard incident." Cissie said with a growing smile.

"Yeah. That
was just Xander. Through and through." Tim said a small smile on
his own face.

"He saved
my life." Buffy said with no emotion. Finally speaking after ten
hours of silence. The group looked at her and smiled.

"Mine to."
Cissie said.

"Yep."
Cassie amended.

"Here to."
Tim said raising his hand.

"Add me to
the list." Karl (superboy) said with a smile as he adjusted his
glasses.

"Metoo."
Bart added talking very fast.

"I think
he's saved just about everyone in the room in one way or another."
Lois Kent said as she and Perry White walked into the room. Xander's
Uncle Rory behind them.

"Lois?"
Clark asked in confusion.

"The kid
saved me from a few muggers in Suicide Slums a month or so ago. He's
a hero." The female reporter said as she hugged Clark and then
surprisingly Karl., "He'll pull through."

"Damn
right." Perry said with a voice filled with emotion. He had just
gotten to know his 'nephew' again. He couldn't stand the thought of
losing him now.

"What
happened to the kid!?" Guy Gardner yelled in question as he and
Kyle Rayner walked into the hospital. Both looking a little beat up.

"What do
you think happened?" Karl asked sarcastically.

"Okay.
Who'd the kid get hurt savin?"

"Me."
The Slayer said without looking up.

"You must
be Buffy." Kyle said with a soft smile.

"Yeah."
She said with a low voice. Giles pulled her into a hug as she began
to cry again. The entire group looked down.

"I think...
We might have something that can help him." Kyle said as Guy
held up a small silver medallion on a steel necklace.

"What is
that?" Bruce Wayne asked not sure if he liked what he was
hearing.

"The amulet
of Valace." Guy said with a smile. "I heard about it after
Hal destroyed my ring. It's supposed to bring forth the full
potential of it's bearer."

"I don't
think..." Bruce started to say only to be interrupted by Dick.

"What have
we got to lose Bruce? Honestly?"

"I..."
Bruce couldn't think of anything to say so he relaxed and nodded his
assent.

"Are you
here for Mr. Harris?" A female Doctor asked as she looked at the
very different group.

"Yes mam."
Giles said standing. Both he and Bruce walked up to the Doctor. The
others crowded around them.

"He's
stable. If he makes it through the next forty-eight hours his chances
will improve. I really can't tell you much more but that the kid is
strong. If he wasn't in such good shape....." The doctor let the
statement trail off into silence.

"So he'll
be fine?" Bruce Wayne asked with a caring voice.

"He's not
out of the woods yet. He's still on a respirator and he's got an
irregular heart beat. But he is stable. I have to go now. Some other
patients."

"We
understand," Giles said with a sad smile and a sigh., "Thank
you Dr. Reis."

"I'll do
everything I can." Dr. Reis said as she turned and walked away.
Bruce spun on his heels and looked at Guy and Kyle.

"Get in
there and give him the medallion." He growled out in a very
authoritive voice. Guy and Kyle's eyes widened immensely and they
nodded there assent. As they walked out of the waiting room to get
into ICU to see Xander Kyle whispered.

"That guys
pretty scary for a billionaire playboy."

"No
kiddin." Guy agreed with a nod of his head.

Xander stood in
the white vastness. Nothing around him but blank space. He looked
around himself. It was like the time he was blinded by looking
directly into the Bat-Signal.

"So this is
what it's like to be dead." He stated to himself as he chuckled
sadly.

"You are
not." A male voice started.

"Dead."
A female voice finished. Xander spun on his heels and landed in a
fighting stance across from two distinct beings.

"Who the
hell are you?" He asked shaken that he was no longer alone.

"We are."
The male started.

"The
Oracles."

"Okay, stop
finishing each others' sentences. It's freaky.," Xander said
still in his fighting stance., "And what are the Oracles."

"We are, we
are the beings that watch over this world for the Powers That Be."

"Like what?
Guardian Angels?" Xander asked not sure if he should buy the
explanation.

"In a way."
The female said.

"Well
aren't you doing a damn good job!" Xander said angrily., "My
friends and I are down there doing the guarding. Your just watching
us like we're a damn reality TV show."

"We are not
allowed to directly interfere." The female said a sad tone in
her voice and her face looking downcast.

"I...WE,
have watched you for years, and as years past we wanted more and more
to help you. But had we everything you know would be nothing. You
would no longer be Crow, you would no longer be Xander Harris. If we
would have stepped in at any time, your friends might not still be
alive. Everything we do has a chance to change the fate of the world.
Just like mortals our choices have to be thought over wisely."

"We've
watched you throw yourself to the dogs to many times Alexander."
The female Oracles started, pain in her voice., "And we have to
tell you that, we're proud of you. The entire world of The Powers is
proud of you."

"Wh...What?"
Xander asked in shocked disbelief.

"We are
proud." The male Oracle said with a smile.," But, we are
going to break a rule for once."

"What do
you mean?" Xander asked not sure if this was going to be a good
thing.

"There is a
great evil coming. Something that can destroy not only earth, but the
entire universe. Maybe, even us."

"Your
kidding right?" Xander asked in complete shock.

"No
Alexander. We are not." The male said with a smile on his face.

"Why are
you telling me? I'm a nobody. Why not go to Superman? Someone with
the power to help you." Xander asked quickly.

"You will
see. You won't remember this when you awake. Only when you need this
knowledge will it become clear." The female said slightly
saddened by the statement.

"Goodbye
Alexander. We will be watching you." The male said sadly and
with a wave of his hand the two were gone. It was now, this exact
moment. That the medallion was placed around Xander's neck. Then the
white vastness... Turned to black.

The entire
waiting room of Sunnydale watched the TV in shock as Doomsday and
Darkseid tore through the JLA like they were nothing.

"I gotta go
honey." Clark said urgently as he kissed Lois on the lips and
moved to walk out the door. Kyle Rayner and Guy Gardner began to
follow him. Karl took a few steps before a hand fell on his shoulder.

"You'll
just be in the way kid."

"No. I
won't. I'm not strong enough to beat either of them, but I can
definetly help get the innocent people out of the way." The kid
said low enough so only those around him heard. Bruce looked shocked
for a moment but nodded and pulled his hand from the kids shoulder.
The rest of Young Justice walked behind Kon-El as he left the waiting
room. Tim looked at Bruce and nodded, then, he followed his friends.

"I thought
I recognized them." Giles said with a smile.

"Yeah."
Bruce said and turned his face to the TV.

"Your going
to go aren't you." Giles stated rather than asked.

"Yeah."
Bruce said and began to walk.

"Xander's
going to hate not being with you." Giles said causing Bruce to
stop for a second. The man looked back and smiled slightly his blue
eyes sparkling.

"Yeah."

Superman hit
Doomsday with a hard right knocking the monster backwards a few feet
only to have a left hook knock him to the ground. As Superman flew
into the air he saw Green Lantern and Warrior fighting with Darkseid.
And he saw the Titans and Young Justice helping the people get to
safety. Doomsday jumped into the air grabbing Superman's ankle and
tossing the hero into the pavement.

"Great."
Xander said to himself as he looked at the darkness around him.

"Hello
young one." A voice said that made Xander spin on his heels for
the second time that.

"Who are
you?" Xander asked falling into a fighting stance.... again.

"I'm
Valace. The savior of Gacieric." The warrior in red said with
pride. Xander looked more confused than anything.

"Start at
the beginning."

"Very
well," The being said with a sigh and a smile.," I was born
Valace Gand on the planet Daxiam. As a young man I was recruited for
a journey into the outreaches of space. All of the crew but myself
were killed when Darkseid found us near his world of Apocalypse. I
managed to escape and landed on the planet Gacieric. A planet of
warriors. Under the yellow sun of Gacieric I began to develop many
physical powers. My strength increased a hundred fold, beams could be
shot from my eyes. I turned into one of the most powerful warriors on
the planet." The Daxamite stopped his story to gauge Xander's
reaction. Xander stood with an easy gate and nodded for the alien to
go on.

"Darkseid
sent many of his strongest warriors to conquer Gacieric, thinking
that all the powerful beings on the planet would eventually rise up
and overthrow his rule. Many of my friends, my new family, were
slaughtered by the enemy and it took all of my strength and will to
fight to a standstill with Kalibak the Cruel. Darkseids supposed son.
I won, the enemy left the world and as I aged I became stronger. I
knew I couldn't be the planets protector forever, at least not with
my own physical body. I had the greatest sorcerer of the planet to
cast my being into this medallion, so the bearer of it could use my
gifts to help those in need."

"No young
one. I went to the warriors paradise. I was called back when you
began to wear the medallion. I will only be here for a short time. To
teach you. To show you the many paths you can take. Then when I
leave, you will choose your path. Make your own destiny."

"Okay,"
Xander said with a still confused but ready voice., "What do I
do first?"

"Wake up."

Everything went
black again.....

Chapter 7

The fight wasn't
going good. Warrior and Green Lantern were taken out. Darkseid at the
moment was content to just watch Superman and Doomsday fight. But who
knew when he would change his mind and began to destroy more of the
earth. The Titans had been left back long ago to see if they could
save some of the people hurt during the battle. Batman was with Robin
a few cities back trying to save the patients of Gotham Hospital.
Superboy was busy with Wondergirl and Impulse evacuating the city the
fight was currently in.. Metropolis.

"I've gotta
help him!" Superboy yelled at Wondergirl as she was carrying a
woman and a baby away from the battle zone.

"You'll be
killed Kon!"

"He's the
only real family I've got Cass. I can't just stand here and watch him
die." Kon said tears almost visible in his eyes.

"Be careful
Kon. Please." Wondergirl said with a sad smile as she landed
beside him and let the woman and little kid go. Kon leaned over and
kissed the superheroine on the lips quickly before taking off into
the air. Wondergirl smiled a sad smile and for a split second thought
she'd never see Kon-El again. Then she forced that thought from her
mind and went back to work.

With a groan
Xander opened his eyes and realized he was still in the hospital. The
respirator had been removed late in the night and he sat up slowly.
He noticed Giles and Buffy talking in the corner while watching the
TV.

"Anyone get
the license number on the plane that hit me?" Xander asked with
a smile. Buffy and Giles whirled around quickly and were on him in a
moment. Xander hugged them back and smiled till he saw the TV.

"What the
hell?" He asked as the camera showed Guy Gardner being attended
to by paramedics.

"Doomsday
is back. Along with Darkseid." Giles said with a careful voice.

"I gotta go
help them."

"NO!,"
Buffy yelled at him as she stood off the bed., "Your in no
condition...." Her statement stopped abruptly as Xander stood
out of bed.

"I need
some clothes."

"Um... I'll
get you some scrubs." Buffy said and quickly exited the room
blushing. The hospital gown didn't cover much.

"So what's
going down Giles? How bad is it?"

"The JLA
has been incapacitated. Only Wonder Woman is still able to fight and
she's pretty messed up. Warrior and Green Lantern were beaten just
moments ago by Darkseid. It doesn't look good Xander."

ËœIt will get
worse if we don't hurry.Ëœ A voice deep in Xanders mind said. Xander
only nodded with it in agreement.

"Superboy
just entered the fray, but Darkseid decided to fight again as well. I
don't know how much longer the two heroes can keep this up."

"Here."
Buffy said loudly as she ran in the room and handed Xander a set of
OR scrubs. He quickly lost the gown and began to dress. Before Buffy
could blink the young man was dressed.

"I'll see
ya later. Tell Wills I said hi." With a gust of air the young
man was gone......

Kon-El slammed
the hardest right he could manage into the back of the monster known
as Doomsday. As the monster fell forward Superman slammed an uppercut
into it's chin causing the beast to flip backwards and land on it's
face. It was up in a matter of milli-seconds. Superman flew off the
ground intent on keeping Doomsday reeling only to be hammered with
blows in the side by Darkseid who had decided to enter the fight
again. Superboy turned his eyes from Doomsday to see the figures of
Superman and Darkseid collide. That was his first mistake. With
speeds faster than the flash the big monster wrapped a hand around
the young heroes throat. And began to squeeze. As the air was being
forced from the young clones body the young man did the one thing he
could think of. Reaching out with his Tactile Telekinesis he pushed
his powers to there limit and began to crush the inner skeleton of
the large monster. Doomsday screamed in pain and rage as he threw the
young hero into the daily planet building with the force of a
missile.

"Can't
believe I hurt him." Kon said to himself as he stood shakily and
looked around himself for Doomsday. A short distance away he heard
Superman scream in pain. He flew toward the sound faster than he ever
thought he could possibly fly.

The Man Of Steel
swung a hard right colliding with the face of Darkseid and knocking
the god to the ground, the asphalt shattering at the impact. The
Kryptonian turned just in time to take a right cross from Doomsday
that sent the superman flying through a building and sliding across
the ground.

The Lex Corp
tower stood high above the rest of the city known as Metropolis.

"What
should we do Mr. Luthor?" A young man with a briefcase asked as
both he and Lex looked out the large windows of the office at the
fight ragging mere blocks away.

"Leave.
There is nothing we can do. This city, this world. Is once again in
the hands of Superman."

"He won't
fail sir." The young man said confidently.

"Maybe.
Maybe."

Superboy flew
onto the scene landing between Superman and the two villains. He
didn't know what he was going to do. But, he knew he had to hold them
off long enough for Superman to get up.

"Um. Can't
we all just get along?" The young clone asked with a nervous
chuckle. He swallowed the lump that formed in his throat and took a
deep breath then he did something surprising. He knelt.

"Giving up
so easy?" Darkseid asked while laughing., "The successor of
Superman, a coward." As Darkseid laughed Superboy looked up with
an evil smile.

"Not a
coward. Just smarter than you, that's all." Darkseid's laugh
died quickly as the ground around them started to shake and the earth
underneath his feet flew up engulfing him like the flames of
apocalypse as the god was pulled under the earth and slammed hard
into the gas lines underneath the city. The explosion blew the four
warriors away from the scene. Superboy hit the ground hard but barely
felt it as his TTK aura made him bounce off the pavement. The young
man landed on his feet beside the already standing Superman.

"Good
move." Superman said simply as he used his x-ray vision to look
through the smoke around them.

"It's all I
could think of."

"It
worked." Superman said as he quickly pushed his young clone out
of the way and swung at the large figure of Doomsday as it ran
through the smoke. Both figures fell away from each other in pain and
shock as the force of there blow created a small crater around them.

"That was a
stupid mistake young one." Darkseid said as he walked slowly up
to Kon-El. A menacing look on his gray face.

"Well,
never said I was Robin." The clone said with a shrug of his
shoulders.

"Your going
to know the wrath of Darkseid."

"Hey,"
A voice said as red beams slammed into the back of Darkseids head
knocking him forward., "No one threatens my friends!" The
figure flew over the downed Darkseid and landed beside Kon.

"Xan?"
Kon asked in complete shock. Xander nodded his head with a small
smile.

"Yeah.
Let's take care of this and then help Supes."

"You
realize we're going to get our asses handed to us right?" Kon
asked with a small smirk.

"Yeah, but
ya know we always act like badasses till it actually happens. It's
the teenage Superhero code." Xander said with a smile. He
enjoyed the banter he and Kon always had when in a fix. It took the
edge off.

"Point.
Well, let's kick his ass then."

"Why not."
Xander said and both heroes took off toward the just standing form of
Darkseid.

Superman's teeth
ground together with brutal force as he and Doomsday began a game of
mercy. The large monster growled out in pure hatred toward the
kryptonian as a crater began to form beneath them. The force both man
and monster put in there struggle causing the ground to quake around
them. As the two figures locked in a fight to the death Superman took
a moment to look over at Superboy. And was surprised to see both
Superboy and Alexander Harris flying at mach speed toward the Lord
Darkseid.

"Hope they
know what there doing." Superman said to himself as he yelled in
anger and pushed Doomsday back ever so slightly.

The Sunnydale
High library was filled with the scoobies. All looking through a
million books as Giles sat on the phone impatiently.

"Dubbilex!,"
Giles said with excitement into the phone.," I have a plan to
help Xander and the others. I need you to contact any person you can
think of with a magic background. Preferably a strong background."
Giles waited a few moments seemingly listening to Dubbilex.

"Thank
you." He put the phone down then picked it up seconds later. He
dialed a long number from memory and smiled as it was answered on the
first ring.

"This is
Rupert Giles. I need to speak with Quentin Travers."

Chapter 8

The headquarters
of the JSA was nearly empty. Only a few heroes watched the broadcast.
The others were off world.

"We have to
go out there." Alan Scott AKA Sentinel said with a strong voice
as he looked around and received a nod from his friend and former
flash Jay Garrick.

"But,"
Courtney AKA Star-Spangle Kid started., "That's Doomsday, he
just took out the JLA like they were nothing."

"Look at
the screen Courtney.," Alan Scott said with a slack face. The
destruction was getting worse by the second.," Superboy and that
other young man are fighting. We can at least be there incase there's
an opening."

"I agree."
Jay Garrick the only other member present said with a frown on his
face. The trio looked at one another then began to leave there
sanctuary.

Xander slid
across the ground in pain and reached up to wipe the blood from a
fresh cut on his forehead.

"Damn,"
He growled out in pain., "That really hurt." He stood
quickly and then noticed Jay Garrick out of the corner of his eye. He
nodded to the older man with respect before flying from the ground
and slamming into Darkseids chest with his right shoulder shoving
both of them back into the Metropolis STAR building. Superboy flew in
behind them only to be met by Xander's body as Darkseid threw him out
of the rubble with a hard right fist. Both young heroes hit the
ground in a roll.

"Okay,"
Xander said as they both stood and watched Darkseid walk toward
them., "We are definatly getting our asses kicked."

"Gee, ya
think?" Superboy asked sarcastically as he wiped the blood from
his split lip., "We need a plan." The young clone said as
Darkseid walked ever closer.

"Think you
can hold him in place for a few seconds?," Xander asked
quietly., "Like you did with Knockout that time?"(1)

"Yeah,"
Superboy said and drew in a steady breath., "I'm pretty sure I
can."

"Get to it
SB. You set him up.," Xander stated falling into a fighting
stance., "I'll knock him down." Superboy dropped down and
put both hands on the ground in pure concentration. Darkseid took one
more step before he stood rooted to the ground.

"What in
the...?" Darkseid started to ask only to have his head knocked
backward as Xander flew forward with his new speed and slammed a knee
into the gods' jaw. As the knee connected the young hero spun and
lashed out with a heel kick that would have turned Darkseid around if
Superboy had not had the alien held to the ground with all his TTK
strength. Xander threw a right that came down and slammed into the
left side of Darkseids head then followed it up with the hardest left
uppercut he had ever thrown. The force was enough to break the hold
Superboy had on Darkseid and send the monster flying through the air
through more than one building. Xander turned back to see Superboy
still on his knees breathing hard.

"That guy
is strong." The young Teen Of Steel said with a small smirk.
Both young men turned when they heard a female voice cheering them
on. The Star Spangled Kid couldn't believe that the two young men had
hurt Darkseid. For that matter neither could the two older members of
the JSA.

"That kid
looks familiar." Alan Scott said as he looked at Xander's face
in concentration.

"Kinda
reminds me of Kyle." Jay said without thought and the face of
Sentinel cleared in an instant and a smile took the place of the
frown.

"It's the
kid."

"What?"
Courtney asked in confusion as they watched Darkseid once again begin
to fight the two young men.

"The kid
that took over for Kyle a few months back."

"Really?"
Courtney asked in shock as Xander was slammed into the ground with
cratering force and Superboy was knocked into the air at supersonic
speeds. Sentinel just nodded his head and looked for the opening he
needed to enter the fight.

Superman was in
pain. Doomsday had wrapped his arms around the Man Of Steels throat
and he didn't know if he was going to be able to break the hold. He
fired his heat vision into the eyes of Doomsday at point blank range
causing the creature to scream in pain and release the Kryptonians
throat. Superman pulled back with his right arm and threw all he had
into the punch. Doomsday flew backward with Superman flying through
the air just behind him.

The anger was
plainly visible on Giles' face as he spoke into the phone in an
threatening voice.

"You listen
to me Travers.," Giles said with pure malice in his voice., "If
you don't do this then by god I'll be in England by the weekend to
shove that large oak desk up our pompous ass!" After a few more
moments Giles smiled as sat the phone in it's cradle.

"The
covenant has begun the spell. All we need are a few people around the
monster for them to lock onto."

"Is that
all?" A voice said that caused the Scooby Gang to spin around
and fall into different forms of fighting stances.

"Zatana?"
Giles asked in complete surprise. A smile formed on his face as he
moved over and shared a quick hug with the woman in stockings and a
magicians uniform

"Hello
Rupert, good to see you again but we have something much more
important than catching up to do right now."

"Of course.
Can you get us to the battle?" Giles asked with a pleading
voice. Zatanna smiled and nodded her head., "Join hands with
me." The scoobs immediately went into a circle.

"elttab eht
ot su ekat." The scoobs vanished in a bright light.

Batman flew the
Bat-Plane over the city of Metropolis with a grim look under his
cowl. He moved closer to the battle zone and quickly armed the
weapons on the plane. He didn't want to hurt any innocents but it
seemed that the only chances he had to even hurt Doomsday or Darkseid
were the missiles on the planes wings. He saw the monster Doomsday
moving toward a downed Superman and he thumbed the missile select
switch in the cockpit. He sighed as he fired.

The blast came
as a shock and stopped Xander in his tracks as he ran toward
Darkseid. He looked into the sky and saw Batman circling with the
Bat-Plane.

"Looks like
he figured out a plan. Hope it works." Xander said to himself
before flying forward and slamming a right fist into the stomach of
Darkseid. Kon slammed his right shoulder into the back of the aliens
knees sending Darkseid sprawling. A huge green anvil appeared above
the god and slammed down hard going into the pavement about half way.
Xander and Superboy looked over at Sentinel and smiled gratefully.
The older man smiled and nodded in understanding. Xander leaned on
his knees and took a deep breath. Then he groaned as the green anvil
was pushed aside and a slightly worse for wear Darkseid climbed out
of the hole.

"Doesn't
this guy ever give up?!" Xander yelled at the sky with a voice
of pure confusion.

"I will
never be beaten." Darkseid said as he stood tall. Alan Scott
moved over and stood beside Xander and Superboy.

"I thought
it was time to help out." Sentinel said with a smile. Xander
looked over at him with a smile of his own.

"Good to
see you again Alan."

"You to
kid."

"Can you
guys catch up when we're not fighting for our lives?" Superboy
asked with a humorous voice.

"I don't
know, might not get another chance kid." Xander said with a
smile on his face.

"Let's just
go get our asses kicked again. Please." Superboy said and got in
a take off position.

"Sure, lead
the way oh fearless one." Xander said causing both Allen and
Superboy to snort.

A few hundred
yards away the Scoobies appeared in thin air. And a few thousand
miles away. The Covenant began to chant.

Xander flew
backwards through the air as he took a shot to the jaw from Darkseid.
As he flew he forced his upper body around and his feet hit the
ground. He leaned forward digging his right hand into the pavement as
well as his feet. He finally slid to a stop a few yards in front of
the scoobies. He didn't seem to notice them as he prepared to launch
back toward the fight.

"XANDER!"
Giles screamed loudly causing the young man to turn and face his
friends.

"What the
hell are you guys doing here?!" Xander asked in shocked anger.,
"It's to dangerous, get back to Sunnydale."

"As soon as
this is over, as soon as you can come back with us." Giles said
glaring Xander down with a fatherly look. Xander looked down and
cursed silently.

"Look Xan,"
Willow started as she moved forward., "Giles found a spell that
will send Darkseid and Doomsday back to Apocalypse. He got all the
witches in the world in on it. But they can only focus on a small
space. You need to force Doomsday and Darkseid to get closer to one
another."

"Easier
said then done." Xander said with a sigh. He looked at Giles and
smiled in thanks. Giles only smiled back and nodded.

"I gotta
get back out there."

"Don't get
dead." Oz said in his normal tone causing Xander to smile
widely.

"You
kidding? Me?" He took off back toward the fight. Intent on
getting Darkseid closer to Doomsday. It seemed like the only chance
the group had.

In deep space
the Mother Box Aura held in her hands began to beep wildly.

"What the
hel...?" Aura started to say before she disappeared in a bright
blinding light.

Chapter 9

Xander once
again slid across the ground as he took a shot to the head from
Darkseid. He got up slowly and stumbled a bit before Sentinel
steadied him with a green hand.

"What's
wrong?" The first Green Lantern asked with a tight voice as he
watched Superboy take a strong shot to the ribs.

"Don't,"
Xander started and gasped in a breath., "Know. Just feeling
weaker all of a sudden. Can't figure out why. I think, that, I might
not be much use in a few minutes." Xander said before flying off
and putting everything he had in a right cross that knocked Darkseid
a full city block away from the three heroes. As he completed the
punch the young hero almost fell on his face his graceful agility the
only thing saving his mouth from an asphalt sandwich.

"You okay
Xan?" Superboy asked as he leaned on his own knees trying to
catch his breath.

"I don't
know. I feel, normal."

"That's not
good." Superboy said as Darkseid stood and wiped the blood from
his face. That last hit had really hurt the alien.

"That
medallion. Gave you powers right?" Superboy asked he watched
Sentinel fly above them and slam a large green fist into Darkseids
jaw.

"Yeah,
Daximite. That's the name of the race." Xander said before
catching the look of understanding on Superboy's face.

"Lead."
The Teen Of Steel said with an understanding tone.

"What?"
Xander asked to confused to ask more.

"Daximites.
Lead hurts them very very bad. The amulet is loosing power because of
all the lead in the debris around here."

"When did
you get so smart?" Xander asked with a small smile. Superboy
only shrugged then took off toward Darkseid and Sentinel. Xander
stood and tried to follow but he was moving to slow to keep up.

ËœWe're only
going to be in there way.Ëœ The voice of Valace said deep in the
recess of Xander's mind.

"What do
you want me to do? Quit?!" Xander asked slightly angry at the
Daximite and at himself.

ËœOf course not,
but we have to find a way to fight this monster.Ëœ

"I'm open
to suggestions."

In the vast
white plane of The Oracles domain the two figures watched with
fearful faces.

"We must
help him... Them." The female said with an emotion filled voice.
The male nodded his head but didn't say anything.

"What is
one more rule? We have broken so many lately." The female stated
with a small smile. The male smiled back at her slightly.

"Very well.
We will give him the option. But the choice must be his."

"Thank
you." The female says with a larger smile on her face.

"I'm doing
this for myself just as much as I am for you.," The man states
with his once again emotionless voice. Then a smile forms on his
face., "But your welcome anyway."

Will is the
key

The voice
resonated in Xander's mind causing him to once again come short of
reaching the fight.

"What the
hell was that?," Xander asked looking at the scene around him.,
"Did you do that?" He asked Valace all the while knowing it
wasn't the Daximite's voice that had spoke in his head.

ËœI did not. I
do not know who or what that was. Nor do I understand it's meaningsËœ

"I don..."
Xander was cut off as Alan Scotts' body slammed into his own sending
him back at a hard and fast pace. Xander hit the ground first taking
the punishment of the blow and slid to a stop. He felt the blood
running down his back.

"Get out of
here kid. Superboy and I will handle this." Alan said looking at
the young man with a caring eye. His daughter really liked the kid.

"Will..."
Xander said a smile growing on his face as he watched the green flare
around Sentinels' hands. Alan looked at him confused before turning
and flying back into the fight. Xander turned and ran as fast as he
could. Which was just barely faster than normal toward his friends.

"What
hospital did they take Kyle to?" The teen asked with an urgent
voice.

"The
hospitals are all destroyed. He's at S.T.A.R Labs." Zatanna said
with a confused smile at the young man that stood beaten and bloody
in front of her.

"I hope I'm
still strong enough to get there." Xander said to himself flying
into the air as fast as he could. With a last look back he flew in
the direction of S.T.A.R Labs.

Superman flew
into the air as fast as his powers would carry him. He looked over
and saw Superboy and Sentinel fighting Darkseid and saw the form of
Xander Harris flying away.

"Must have
a plan." Superman thought before turning back and flying down
slamming both fist into the chest of Doomsday sending the monster
flying backwards. There fight had been a long one. Many innocents had
been hurt as Doomsday made his way to Metropolis. Superman was
fighting for each of them. Putting everything he had and more into
the fight he wasn't sure he could win. It was time for him to put it
all on the line again. And he was going to go the distance.

The door to the
med center of S.T.A.R Labs exploded inward as Xander flew through it.
A new bruise forming on his fist from the stress of the hit. He flew
around every hero that could stand and landed finally in front of
Kyle Rayner. Green Lantern.

"Give me my
ring Kyle." Xander said in a very emotional voice. Kyle looked
at Xander and noticed the blood running down the young mans face and
body.

"I...I.."
Before Kyle could think of a sentence Xander had grabbed the young
mans uniform and slammed the Green Lantern against the steel walls of
the Med Lab.

"You listen
to me Kyle. Screw Gantlet. Screw your promise to Hal. You think that
Hal would want all these people to die just so you could restart the
corps?" Xander held the young Green Lantern off the floor
floating up to look him in the eye.

"The man
Hal was wouldn't want that. He'd have given up the entire Green
Lantern Corps to save the lives of innocents. It's in the damn job
description. Everyone in the Corps knew the risk. I KNOW the risk. So
it's going to happen one of two ways Kyle. Your my friend, I respect
you. But so help me if you don't give me my ring I'll break your
arm." Kyle couldn't think of a response but Warrior could.

"The ring
never chose anyone else Xand. It's still under your command. Just
take it."

"I don't
want to take it Guy. But, I will if I have to." Xander said in a
deadly calm voice.

"You don't
have to." Kyle said with a small smile., "Just will the
ring to you Xander." The Green Lantern said the smile still on
his face. Xander frowned in concentration and in seconds was covered
in a green aura.

"I'm sorry,
Green Lantern." Xander said as he put the young hero down and
his ring suited him up for the first time in months. Kyle looked at
the kid with a tired and beaten smile. And for the first time Xander
noticed how hurt the young man really was.

"Me too. Go
get 'em kid."

"Count on
it." And with a green blur Xander was gone.

"We better
get over there." Kyle said with a pained breath.

"Yeah. We
can at least help the kid out." Warrior agreed as he was
surrounded in a green aura and both heroes flew toward the door. A
small blue figure smiled somewhere else in the universe.

"If only
Kal-El had gotten the ring." Gantlet said while watching Xander
reach the battle and slam into the Lord Darkseid with not only the
power of the Ring. But with the power of the Alien Medallion around
his neck.

"Things are
really getting interesting."

Darkseid hit the
ground. Hard. The force of Xander's last blow had cracked the god's
jaw in several places.

"He's
back!" Superboy said with a high pitched laughter filled voice.
Xander turned from the downed Darkseid and smiled at the young hero.

"Alan,"
Xander started turning back to the alien as it stood., "Go help
big blue. The kid and I got this."

"If your
sure kid." Alan said and flew toward the other fight that was
several miles away now.

"You think
we can take him now?"

"Hold him
kid. Just hold him." Xander said a voice filled with no humor.
Kon smiled and kneeled once again. And for the second time in the
battle Darkseid was held motionless.

The chanting
reached it's climax as all over the world large swarms of red and
orange energy shot toward the spot of the epic battle. The energies
swirled around themselves growing larger and stronger as they made
there way across the miles and miles of ocean, desert, and grassland.
The magical energies fell into there spot behind the Lord Darkseid.
They continued to spin creating a vortex.

"Oh my
god." Superboy said with awe as he still concentrated on the
hold he had on Darkseid.

"What is
that thing?" Xander asked with the same awe filled voice as
Superboy.

"It's a
boom tube. They opened a Boom Tube."

"Let's make
Darkseid go boom then." Xander said his voice barely heard over
the roar of the spinning vortex. With a loud scream the young hero
flew forward slamming into the alien at speeds that broke the sound
barrier. The scoobies hit the pavement as the shockwave from the
punch shattered what little glass was intact in the buildings around
them. The earth under there feet shook as Darkseid flew into the boom
tube in a blur. His form unconscious even before the vortex sucked
him in taking him back to his world.

"Now
what?!" Superboy yelled as the Boom Tube didn't seem to close.

"Doomsday."

Chapter 10

Superman and
Sentinel watched in horror as yet another building fell from the
earthquakes the fight was causing. Neither hero wanted to think of
all the innocents that had been killed in the fight thus far. Or how
many would be killed if they failed.

"Need a
hand?" Superboy asked with a smile as he and Xander landed
beside the two older heroes.

"Darkseid?"
Superman asked.

"He's gone
home to bed." Superboy answered with a small smirk that quickly
disappeared as Doomsday stood once again and charged them with Flash
like speed. All four heroes flew away landing on the ground hard.

"Damn he's
fast." Xander said as he shook his head and stood. Before he
could think of an attack he was attacked again himself. Doomsday
slammed into his chest with a right fist that through the young Green
Lantern back into a wall. The force of his blow sending him into the
middle of the office building before he could stop his momentum.,
"And strong. Can't forget strong."

"Xander is
slowing down." Giles said with a worried voice. Zattana nodded
in agreement but didn't say anything.

"He'll be
okay." Oz said with his normal voice. The others stood in
silence praying the young werewolf was right.

Superman grunted
in pain as his arm was shattered at the elbow by a hammer blow from
Doomsday. The weight was taken off as Superboy rammed into the
monsters' side with all his strength sending both of them flying into
a building. A second later and Superboy flew out backwards as he was
hit hard by the monster. He flew through the air fighting to right
himself, just before he hit another building an arm reached out and
caught him.

"I..."
The box beeped cutting off the beautiful young heroine and flew into
Xander's hands., "Guess not." Aurora finished with a
slightly aggravated face. Xander turned and was about to fly away
when Kyle yelled stopping him.

"Someone
will have to force Doomsday through the Boom Tube. He won't go in
without a good reason."

"I'll
handle it." Xander said with a smile.

"There's a
good chance whoever does it won't make it back." Kyle said
stating the obvious and hoping against hope the kid would find
another way.

"Life's
full of risk." Xander answered taking off toward the fight they
were all losing.

"We can't
let him do it." Kyle said as he turned to see Warrior who only
nodded his head in agreement.

"GET HIM
CLOSE TO THE BOOM TUBE!!" Xander yelled as he slammed a hard
right cross into the monster's face causing bone slivers to fall from
Doomsdays face. The monster stumbled closer toward the tube. Superman
flew forward his left arm hanging at his side limply as he slammed
his right into the chest of the monster making it stumble back.
Sentinel quickly hit Doomsday with a giant green fist to keep the
monster reeling. Superboy shot forward and landed an open palm on the
monster sending a surge of TTK into it causing Doomsday to stumble
again. Xander slammed a hard flying sidekick into the monsters' head
before spinning in the air and kicking him with a left leg in the
eye. The monster known as Doomsday now stood directly in front of the
boom tube. Laughing. Xander smiled and looked at Superboy.

"Hold him
down."

"Not a prob
GL." Superboy said smiling through his bruised and bloody lips.
The young man didn't even kneel as he sent his power through his legs
into the ground and used all his concentration to hold the monster in
place. Xander held the motherbox up with his left and and smiled at
the monster.

"At least
your going with me." He muttered lowly to himself and took off
in flight. A hand reached out and grabbed his left wrist swinging him
around with his own momentum. It took him almost a second to realize
that the Motherbox was no longer in his hands.

"Sorry Kid,
this ones mine." The man's voice said as his wrist was let go
and Xander was sent flying away from the fight. It was then he saw
his attacker ram into the still unmoving form of Doomsday sending
them both into the tube.

"No."
Xander whispered to himself as he stopped his body and took off for
the boom tube. Closer, closer, he was within a few feet as the Tube
closed itself sending Xander flying through empty air.

"GUY!!!!"

Guy Gardner
smiled as he tossed Xander away. The kid was strong, but he could
still get thrown around by his one time mentor.

"Good luck
kid." Guy whispered before turning back toward the monster known
as Doomsday. The Warrior looked to his left and nodded at Superboy
before flying toward the monster. As he hit Doomsday like he hit his
opponents in College Football Superboy released Doomsday sending both
hero and villain into the Boom Tube. The motherbox beeped as Warrior
continued to throw punch after punch and blast after blast at his
enemy.

"Close it."
Guy said to the box knowing it would listen. The Warrior to a quick
look back to see Xander flying toward the tube. Warrior smiled as the
tube sealed. He turned seeing Doomsday laughing.

"Laugh at
this." Guy said grabbing the monster and turning it around using
all his Vuldarian strength. Doomsdays' laughter stopped and turned
into screams as he began fighting Warriors hold. Guy only smiled as
he saw the bright yellow end of the tube.

"Bye
everyone." The Warrior said to himself as he and Doomsday flew
into the burning hot sun.

The End

The author would like to thank you for your continued support. Your review has been posted.